Thomet ‘in the hunt’ for national winLevi Thomet wasn’t planning on running any more races in the Lower 48 until the summer. His second-place finish in the 3,200-meter run at the Simplot Games in February changed his plans. The Kodiak High School senior couldn’t pass up an invitation to compete in the two-mile run at the New Balance National High School Championships on Sunday in New York City. Kodiak track coach Marcus Dunbar believes Thomet will be...

Snailfish puts cuckoo’s egg in king crabSpring was almost here, but now it feels like winter is back to remind us that we live relatively far north on the surface of our planet and it should be cold here. In my childhood days, when I was living somewhat south of here, spring would often come with the sounds of a cuckoo calling out for a mate. I always had a mixed relationship with this bird. Once the mating had succesfully taken place, the female cuckoo...

St. Patrick vs. March Madness, spring trainingThis time of year is always a collision of interests for me, with the promises of baseball and an upcoming spring break trip to Arizona pending, March Madness shaping up with its bracket of 64 plus two teams, and, of course, St. Patrick’s Day. Oh, and there is the fact that my brother’s and sister’s birthdays are the 17th and 18th, respectfully, though almost an afterthought. Bad sister. In warmer climes I have li...

Local faith leaders on ‘why’ of Jesus’ death Our post-Christian culture may be trading Bible stories for vampire and “Hunger Games” tales. It may be more attuned to Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber than Moses and John the Baptist and care more about being politically correct than going to Heaven and avoiding Hell. But even with biblical ignorance sweeping the nation, most people know that Jesus Christ died. There are crucifixes. There are crosses on churches, tel...

3 KEA board members seek re-electionKodiak Electric Association board of directors members Stosh Anderson, Cliff Davidson and Michael Brechan are running for the three-year board seats that come open as their current terms expire. KEA will not hold a candidates’ forum, but members may submit questions through email addreses avaiable through www.kodiakelectric.com. The notice for the annual membership meeting, ballots and annusal report will be maile...

Kodiak Whale Fest cancelled, organizer says The official celebration of spring marked by whales returning to Kodiak has been cancelled this year due to a lack of volunteers and time, but unofficial events will still be taking place. This year would be the 19th year of Whale Fest, which celebrates Eastern Pacific Grey Whales returning to Alaska during their migration from Mexico to the Arctic Ocean. Organizer Cheryl Nugent said that in the past, there have b...

Coast Guard aids boat near Afognak IslandThe Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak helped a fishing vessel that was taking on water from a possible punctured bow on Thursday. According to a news release from the Coast Guard, the F/V Alaskan Pride was taking on water in Izhut Bay on the east side of Afognak Island. The vessel’s crew originally reported to Sector Anchorage watch standers that the 35-footer’s pumps could not keep up with the incoming water. An MH-...

GUEST COLUMN: Can ‘Tarzan’ save the world?This winter I have spent nearly every night on stage, or in the choral pod, jumping, walking on my knuckles, grooming nits from my ape children —in short, being an ape. My two youngest sons, along with a cast of about 40, and I are in the local production of “Tarzan.” These weeks of rehearsal, ISIS is beheading Christians, destroying historic villages and artifacts, visiting a kind of terror and barbarism unknown ...

Senate Bill 1 infringes on private property rightsMy wife and I own two bars — one smoking and the other nonsmoking — in Kodiak. Senate Bill 1 is a personal mission for Sen. Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna. He is using his position to stop people from smoking by banning smoking in any place with employees. That includes almost everywhere, even nonsmoking outdoors in some areas. This is his second attempt to pass this law. Last year, this law failed because senators op...

We need knowledgeable people serving residentsThe person that the Borough Mayor recommended for the Planning and Zoning Commission is the best candidate. He is an honest and hardworking man. He also was on the Borough Assembly at one time. His wife was born and raised in Kodiak and they are both longtime residents. And for someone who says he does not know Greg Spalinger is from the backwoods and does not belong on the Borough Assembly. We need knowledgeable ...